Memories of the Mid-Autumn Festival

Mid-Autumn Festival has arrived again, the full moon shining brightly in the August sky. Amidst today's hustle and bustle, the mere sound of lion dance drums echoing from a street corner is enough to transport adults back to their memories. That moon, though only faintly visible above the busy city sky, evokes a cool, refreshing light, a flood of emotions about a bygone childhood, where deep within, the gentle laughter of grandparents and parents remains, or the joyful chatter of siblings around the shimmering lanterns lingers.

In the old days, Mid-Autumn Festival in the poor countryside was simple yet warm. Everyone was filled with laughter, the rhythmic swaying of footsteps on the small lanes bathed in the light of childhood. Children eagerly awaited the festival from the afternoons before, gathering to carve bamboo, bend reeds to make frames, and glue colored paper into star-shaped lanterns. Those who were more skillful would have their grandfathers make carp or rabbit lanterns... The most joyful and exciting part was lighting a candle inside the shimmering cellophane paper, and when the flame blazed brightly, all the children would cheer with sparkling eyes. Then, suddenly, the nursery rhymes in their hearts would resound, "Dung dang dung de, light the fire and go play...", or the lively song from years past, "The star lantern, a five-pointed star, so colorful...". Then, the small dirt road, shaded by bamboo and betel nut trees, would be faintly illuminated by the lanterns, chasing after the bright autumn moon. They would walk, dance, and sing with the wind, the clouds, and the rustling leaves. When it came to the "moon-gazing feast," the rare mooncakes and sticky rice cakes were divided into small pieces by Mom, and each child cherished them, only nibbling a little, but the craving overwhelmed them, so they happily devoured this loving gift from Mom.

Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival in old Nha Trang.

In the old days, adults often gave children a very impressive gift: the Mid-Autumn Festival in their village. There, the lively sound of lion dance drums echoed from the edge of the village, and young men dressed as lions, Ông Địa (the Earth God), Tôn Ngộ Không (the Monkey King), and Trư Bát Giới (the Pigsy) danced amidst cheering crowds. That night, the moon shone brightly, and in the eyes of children, the moon was a kind friend, a place to entrust their luminous wishes.

Today, the Mid-Autumn Festival is more modern and vibrant. Electronic lights play music, and mooncakes come in a variety of flavors. The streets are bustling, and children run around with twinkling lanterns, their hearts filled with joyful excitement. Though the form may have changed, the same innocent excitement remains in those clear eyes. In the past, children dreamed of having the biggest star-shaped lantern in the neighborhood and a mooncake with plenty of filling to eat. Now, they dream of transforming into princesses or superheroes, carrying lanterns under the moonlight with their friends. Dreams differ with the times, but they retain their original innocence and purity.

For adults, each Mid-Autumn Festival brings back nostalgic memories, a longing to return to childhood, to frolic in lantern processions, to hear their parents' gentle laughter on the porch. Mid-Autumn Festival is not just a children's festival; it's also a day for adults to reflect on their own hearts, to rediscover their childhood in the realm of memories. Each mooncake, each lantern, each moon is a bridge connecting the past and the present, between what has passed and what remains.

Tonight, the moon is full again. Children innocently entrust their dreams to the moonlight, while adults whisper about old memories. Amidst the lively lion dance drums and dazzling lights, seeing the happy eyes of the children and the moonlight fills the hearts of the adults with a unique warmth.

DUONG MY ANH

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/van-hoa/sang-tac/202510/ky-uc-mua-trung-thu-ae83b1d/